At the Minneapolis Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Saturday over Showtime Bob Arum (Top Rank) and Premium Boxing Event presented in the Main Event unbeaten Australian Tim Tszyu WBO Global Super Welterweight champion and No. 1 WBO ranked came off the canvas in the first round to dominate and defeat American 2012 Olympian Terrell Gausha over 12 rounds. In the co-feature unbeaten WBA No. 2 ranked Lightweight Dominican Michel “La Zarza Ali” Rivera defeated previously unbeaten Joseph Adorno over 10 rounds.
In the Main Event WBO Global Super Welter champ Tim Tszyu, 21-0 (15), #153 ½, of Rockdale, New South Wales, Australia, defeated 2012 Olympian Terrell Gausha, 22-3-1 (11), #153 ¼, of Cleveland, OH, over 12 rounds.
In the first round with a minute remaining Gausha landed a counter right on the chin dropping Tszyu for an 8-count from Referee Mark Nelson. He managed to work his way through the round. He suffered a small cut on his forehead due to a clash of heads. In the second and third rounds Tszyu came back well in having Gausha against the ropes. In the fourth round Gausha was doing well until a left uppercut from Tszyu had him into the ropes.
In the fifth round Tszyu had Gausha hurt with a right on the chin almost dropping him. He continued to dominate Gausha the rest of the round. In the sixth round with a minute remaining, Tszyu had Gausha in trouble against the ropes with uppercuts to the chin. In the eighth round Tszyu continued an assault on Gausha who rarely came back with any punches.
In the eleventh round with half minute remaining Tszyu had Gausha on the defense taking too many punches. In the twelfth and final round Tszuy came out on the attack with Gausha landing a left hook to the chin and then being backed into the ropes. In the final minute Gausha came fighting back until Tszyu again put him against the ropes with a flurry of punches.
Scores were 114-113, 116-111 and 115-112 with this writer 118-109.
In the co-feature No. 2 ranked WBA Lightweight Michel “La Zarza Ali” Rivera, 23-0 (14), #136 ½, of Santo Domingo, DR, and Miami, FL, defeated Joseph “Blessed Hands” Adorno, 14-1-2 (12), #136 ¼, of Allentown, PA, over 10 rounds.
In the first two rounds Rivera controlled with an effective jab over Adorno. In the third round Adorno used a double left hook to the chin against Rivera over Rivera’s jabs. In the fourth and fifth rounds Rivera was back in control with his jab.
In the seventh round both landed rights on the chin at the same time in a round Adorno won. In the eighth and ninth rounds Rivera continued to control with his jabs. In the tenth and final round looking like he needed a knockout Adorno continued to move backwards for the most part allowing Rivera’s jab to take another round.
Scores were 97-93 by all judges with this writer 98-92. Referee was Mark Calo oy.
Super Lightweight Elvis “The Dominican Kid” Rodriguez, 13-1-1 (12), #141 ¼, of Santo Domingo, DR, stopped South American champion Juan “El Pitbull” Jose Velasco, 23-3 (14), #141 ½, of Bueno Aires, ARG, at 2:49 of the seventh round of a 10.
In the first three rounds Rodriguez outworked Velasco. In the fourth round a lead left from southpaw Rodriguez on the chin stunned Velasco. In the fifth rounds closing seconds Rodriguez drove Velasco into a corner with a double right to the body and chin.
In the sixth round Rodriguez almost had Velasco’s left eye closed by the end of a round with a cut on the eyelid. In the seventh round Rodriguez dropped Velasco with a right to the chin in the first minute of the round for an 8-count by Referee Gary Ritter. In the final minute Rodriguez again dropped Velasco with a barrage of punches for another 8-count. Seconds later Rodriguez swarmed all over Velasco for a third knockdown on the seat of his trunks ending the bout.